Career Coach Corner: It's All About "Fit"

Dear Career Coach:

I keep hearing about "fit" when it comes to finding the right job.  How do you know if a job is the right fit?  And if I need a job right now, is "fit" really that important? 

Signed,

Still Looking

Dear Looking:

Yes, it might be hard to imagine being picky when it comes to finding a job in today's job market.  You may need to find employment just to make ends meet.  And there's nothing wrong with that. 

But when it comes to job satisfaction, "fit" really is one of the most important elements in being successful in your career.  First, begin with a list of the top ten things you "absolutely, positively, like, NO KIDDING" have to have in a job.  Is it salary and benefits?  Being acknowledged by your boss and colleagues?  A corner office?  A short commute?  Whatever it is that's important to you, write it down.  And don't compromise just yet--there will be plenty of time to negotiate later on.   

Now, when you do have a job opportunity, compare it to your list.  Does it come close to what you were looking for?  Maybe you're willing to trade a longer commute for a job that provides you with some stability and a place to use your talents.  Or maybe you're looking for a "bridge job," one that meets your minimum requirements while you continue to work toward another career goal.  The important thing is that you've identified what you think will meet your needs and you've evaluated this opportunity against your list.

Mission, Vision & Values

Another aspect of "fit" is finding an employer whose values align with your own.  That may take some research.  Take a look at what the company does, how it operates and what its mission, vision and values are.  Seek companies that reflect and support what's important to you.  Then look at how they live out their mission, vision and values.  How do they treat their employees?  Do they invest in training and development?  Ask the potential employer questions that will give you insights about whether the company "walks the talk."

If possible, interview someone who works there.  What does he or she like about the company?  Ask your source for some specific examples.  And remember to weigh that person's opinion with other data you've gathered about the company.  There's lots of information available on the Internet and on the company's web site.  You'll want to balance that information with what you hear as well as your own experience throughout the interview process.

Head, Heart and Gut Instinct

When push comes to shove, accepting a job is a leap of faith.  You ultimately have to go with your gut instinct.  I've made a few doozy mistakes of my own throughout my career, usually when I ignored my instincts.  Once, even after I did my "due diligence" about a prospective company, I ignored some of the horror stories I heard and took the job anyway.  No big surprise when, about three months into the job, I realized it was the wrong fit.  And no matter how hard I tried, it just got worse.  That's when I learned how important it is to love my work and the people for whom I work.

So in the end, it's a combination of head (what we learn and know), heart (what we feel) and gut instinct that make for a successful choice.  Do your homework and then listen to all three--head, heart and gut--and then, make your choice.  And once you land, don't forget to continue to network.  Career success is all about having options.

If you have a question for the Career Coach, write Vickie Austin at vaustin@choicesworldwide.com and write “Career Coach Corner” in the subject line.  She will answer your questions about your career whether you’re in transition or positioning yourself for future career success.  All questions will be posted anonymously.